Myron Brooks, II

Bud Brooks passed away at 6:17 AM on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the age of 88. He was preceeded in death by his wife LaJuan (Braden) Brooks, his daughter Lisa Soderberg, his father Myron Dewitt Brooks, Sr., mother Nelle Janet (Scott) Brooks, his uncle Lloyd Scott, and his bother Robert Scott Brooks. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Renee Brooks of Tacoma, Washington; his neices and nephews, Alice A. Musburger (James) of Litchfield, MN, TaiLi Huang –Brooks of Taipei, Taiwan, Mark A. Brooks (Linda Brown) and John S. Brooks (Judi) of Mankato, MN.; his sisters, Mary Ann Brooks-Mueller, Sarah Jane Brooks, Rita Ferry (Bob) and brother Peter Brooks (Diane). Bud has four grandchildren: Danielle Molina (Soderberg), Joshua Soderberg,David Soderberg and Sojourner Duxbury. He also had five great grandchildren: Casey, Brooks, Lucas, Roman, and Harlin. Bud was born June 23, 1925 and attended high school at Shawnee Mission North in Merriam, Kansas. He then enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and as a naval aviator had flight time in a variety of aircraft. He later earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from University of Kansas. In 1965, his father approached Bud about a partnership in his computerized accounting firm. He instead chose an independent career (38 years) in sales and sales management with Abbott Laboratories living in Kansas, Illinois, California, Minnesota, and Washington State. During his successful career many recognized his innate ability to design and implement practical approaches to corporate strategies. He worked hard for those who worked for him, always wishing for them to succeed both in their work and personal lives. He developed many close friendships during his career and continued to cherish those relationships throughout his life. He was loyal husband who unselfishly cared for his wife during her final months battling cancer. They enjoyed and active life together with a wide circle of friends and many activities that included tennis, skiing, and sailing. As a father, he had a natural gift of intuitively knowing how to guide decisions without dictating, of fostering independence while remaining close, and demonstrating values of respect and love. He greatly enjoyed being a father and often remarked at how much fun he had raising his children. He held many delightful memories that were recounted over the years. During his last 25 years as a widower he remained active with Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club enjoyed his sailboat. “Bon Vivant”. He took great pride in his involvement in the Youth Sail Program and believed that by learning to sail a small boat one learns many important life lessons. He delighted in seeing young people experience the joy of sailing.

In a letter of condolence written by a family friend it was aptly said: “Just like children do, wasn’t it sort of within his own personality to greet each day with anticipation and always look on the bright side and give new things a try? It appeared so to me. I saw him as bright in every way, and the world is a little darker right now without him and his smiles. I’m grateful he left us so “many bright memories”.